(NIPIGON, ON) –On December 3, 2015 members of the Marathon Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) assisted Anishnabek Police Service (APS) to locate a suspicious person and stolen vehicle. The vehicle was recovered at Pukaskwa National Park and the driver was not located.
On December 4, 2015 a pickup truck was stolen from the Town of Marathon, which was later located by Schreiber OPP in the Town of Terrace Bay. The male resisted arrest and fled from police west bound on Hwy 17. The stolen pickup truck was recovered between the Towns of Terrace Bay and Schreiber.
A vehicle was then stolen from the Town of Schreiber on December 5, 2015 and the suspect continued west bound on Highway 17 at a high rate of speed. The male eventually lost control of the vehicle, left the roadway, and ended up in the ditch approximately 10 kilometres east of the Town of Nipigon, where he fled into the bush.
Members of the Nipigon OPP, North West Region K-9 Unit, Emergency Response Team (ERT), Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Helicopter Unit, and two OPP aircraft, searched for the male suspect in the Nipigon area.
On December 6, 2015 at approximately 1:30 p.m. the male suspect was observed by a member of the public who contacted police. After a lengthy OPP K-9 track, the suspect was located in the Township of Nipigon, and arrested without further incident.
Shawn JOHNSON from Winnipeg, Manitoba has been charged with the following offences contrary to the Criminal Code:
Failing to Comply with a Probation Order
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
Two Counts of Theft over $5000 of a Motor Vehicle
Two Counts of Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle
Resisting Arrest
Theft Under $5000
Flight While Being Pursued by Police Officer
Two Counts of Break and Enter a Place to Commit an Indictable Offence;
The accused has been remanded into custody at the Thunder Bay District Jail.